High Blood Pressure, Explained!

High Blood Pressure, Explained!

The
measurement taken at the Doctor's office to determine
Blood Pressure (BP) is due to the recurrent pumping of blood by
the heart which creates a cyclic force of blood against the blood
vessels. Normally the vessels are flexible enough to expand and
contract; this expansion and contraction of the vessels produces
the Blood Pressure. This value in the normal adult is about
120/80.
Sometimes, blood vessels become less flexible or narrowed; when
this happens the heart has to pump harder to get the blood to go
through the vessels. The end result is an increase in pressure in
the vessels-High Blood Pressure. Stress or heavy exercise can
cause a temporary increase in BP.
Continuously elevated BP leads to damage of many organs,
especially the heart, kidneys and brain. Early treatment has been
shown to reduce the complications of High Blood Pressure.
For more information about High Blood Pressure please visit: High Blood Pressure Article

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Medically reviewed by John A. Daller, MD; American Board of Surgery with subspecialty certification in surgical critical care September 12, 2017